The crying of the spirit grew weaker and weaker, its form almost dissolving into the air. The shelves in the antique shop were still shaking violently, shattered porcelain scattering across the floor along with clouds of dust. Anxiety burned in Ryan's chest. He held up a shelf that was on the verge of collapsing while shouting at Marvin, who was slumped on the ground in shock.
"Mr. Marvin, get outside now! Leave this to me!"
Marvin was pale with terror. Hearing Ryan's voice finally snapped him back to reality. He scrambled toward the door, nearly tripping over himself, and clutched the doorframe once outside, staring back into the shop with wide, fearful eyes.
Ryan didn't hesitate. He pulled out the spirit-suppressing talisman Old Gray had given him, using it to temporarily counter the chaotic energy surrounding the spirit. Then he hurried toward the celadon vase. Under the effect of True Sight, he could clearly see the spirit's energy draining rapidly. The faint green glow flickered like a candle in the wind, ready to go out at any moment.
"I have to find Valentine. Now."
Gritting his teeth, Ryan carefully removed the vase from the shelf and wrapped it in his jacket before holding it tightly to his chest. The spirit's core energy was deeply bound to the vase. Taking it with him might buy more time for communication. He rushed outside and spoke quickly to Marvin.
"I'm going to get help. Stay here and don't let anyone near the shop."
Without waiting for a reply, Ryan ran to the parking lot, got into his car, and drove straight toward the Blood Moonlight Bar.
Night had already fallen. Neon lights lit up the streets of Nova City, but the road leading through the old district toward the bar felt strangely oppressive. Ryan drove as fast as he dared. Outside the window, the scenery blurred past. The vase in his arms trembled faintly from time to time, carrying with it a trace of sorrow that made him press even harder on the accelerator.
Half an hour later, Ryan arrived at the entrance of the Blood Moonlight Bar. The signature dark-red neon sign flickered in the night. The doorman stood there as expressionless as ever. When he saw Ryan carrying something wrapped in a jacket, a hint of surprise crossed his eyes, but he didn't ask any questions and simply stepped aside to let him in.
The interior was just as luxurious and unsettling as before. Heavy crimson velvet curtains blocked out the outside world. The air was thick with the scent of red wine mixed with a faint trace of blood. Supernatural beings in strange attire chatted in small groups, their low laughter blending with the clinking of glasses. The moment Ryan stepped inside, he felt several gazes fall on him. The faint spiritual energy leaking from the vase had clearly drawn attention.
"Detective Ryan? That's rare."
Behind the bar, Valentine was dressed in his black formal suit embroidered with gold thread, casually turning a crystal wineglass in his hand. The red wine swirled gently inside. His golden eyes swept over the vase in Ryan's arms, and a knowing smile curved his lips.
"Judging by your hurry, I take it you've run into trouble again?"
Ryan walked straight to the bar and placed the wrapped vase on the counter.
"Boss Valentine, I need your help. There's a spirit attached to this vase, and its energy is almost gone. I need a way to communicate with her and stabilize her condition."
Valentine set down the glass and reached out, lightly touching the vase through the jacket. A faint red glow flickered at his fingertips. After a few seconds, he withdrew his hand, surprise flashing in his eyes.
"Interesting. This isn't an ordinary spirit. There's ancient natural energy inside."
He looked back at Ryan, his smile turning sharper.
"I can help—but you know my rules. An equal exchange."
"I know." Ryan took a deep breath. He had no money, and only forty-three Shadow Points left. "I don't have cash or many points, but I can trade information. Everything I know about this spirit, and the full details of the haunted antique shop case."
Valentine raised an eyebrow, leaning against the bar with interest.
"Spirit-related information, huh? That does sound tempting. Still, a method for communicating with spirits isn't cheap."
He paused, then spoke in a coaxing tone.
"How about this—besides the information, you agree to one more condition. If you ever encounter clues related to ancient natural beings, you report them to me immediately. In return, I'll give you the beginner version of the Spirit Language Chant. It'll be enough for communication and can temporarily stabilize her energy."
Ryan hesitated for only a moment. Valentine, a vampire who had lived for centuries, clearly had a deep interest in ancient beings. The condition was harsh, but he had no other choice.
"Deal," Ryan said without hesitation. "I'll share the information and keep my word."
"Good." Valentine smiled and pulled a small leather-bound booklet from a drawer beneath the bar, handing it to Ryan. "This is the beginner Spirit Language Chant. Pronunciation and usage are all inside."
He then produced a small crystal vial filled with pale green liquid.
"And this—Spirit Energy Stabilizer. Drip three drops onto the vase. It'll slow the energy loss and buy you time."
Ryan accepted both items, relief washing over him.
"Thank you, Boss Valentine."
"No need to thank me yet." Valentine lifted his glass again and took a sip. "I'll be waiting for your information. And one more thing—this spirit is special. That ancient natural energy is extremely pure. There are secrets hidden there."
Ryan nodded and left without delay, holding the vase as he exited the bar. On the drive back to the antique shop, he quietly repeated the Spirit Language Chant, memorizing its rhythm.
When he arrived, Marvin was still guarding the entrance.
"Detective Ryan! You're finally back!" Marvin rushed over. "The shop shook several times again. I didn't dare go inside!"
Ryan said nothing and went straight in. The shop was a mess—several shelves had collapsed, antiques lay shattered across the floor. The green spiritual energy was even weaker than before. A vague female figure floated above the vase, her eyes hollow and filled with despair.
Ryan quickly opened the crystal vial and carefully dripped three drops of the stabilizer onto the celadon vase. The liquid seeped into the porcelain at once, and a soft green glow spread across its surface. The spirit's energy gradually steadied, and her form became slightly clearer.
"It worked." Ryan felt a surge of relief.
Following the booklet's instructions, he focused his mind and guided his magical energy while softly chanting the Spirit Language. Ancient, unfamiliar syllables echoed through the shop as his magic slowly flowed into the spirit.
A few seconds later, the spirit trembled. Her empty gaze sharpened and slowly settled on Ryan. Her lips moved, producing a weak voice—not crying anymore, but a language far older. Though Ryan couldn't understand the words, he sensed her confusion and caution.
"I mean you no harm," Ryan continued the chant, projecting calm and goodwill. "I want to help you. Why are you bound to this vase?"
The spirit fell silent. Her green energy rippled again, and this time, fragmented memories flowed into Ryan's mind—dense forests, glowing elven figures, raging flames, collapsing trees, and a shattered vase. Over it all lay overwhelming sorrow.
"An… elf?" Ryan was stunned.
True Sight activated instinctively. The energy surrounding the spirit was pure, natural, unlike anything he had encountered before. Ancient. Sacred.
The spirit nodded faintly and sent more information. Her name was Leah, a member of the ancient elven race. A thousand years ago, dark forces invaded her forest. As her homeland fell, she sealed fragments of her soul inside the celadon vase to escape pursuit, relying on its stored natural energy to survive.
The vase was both her refuge and her lifeline.
A week ago, after Marvin placed the vase in the shop, a small piece of porcelain at the bottom chipped off. The seal weakened, the stored energy began to leak, and her soul fragments destabilized—causing all the disturbances.
"So that's what happened…" Ryan finally understood. Guilt filled his chest. "I thought you were causing trouble on purpose."
He gestured around the ruined shop.
"Don't worry. I'll help repair the vase and stabilize the seal."
Leah's energy softened. Gratitude filled her eyes as she bowed slightly. Her form gradually faded, merging back into the vase to recover.
Ryan exhaled in relief. He stepped outside and spoke to Marvin.
"Mr. Marvin, it's not a haunting or a curse. It was an unstable elven soul bound to the vase."